The next pages were heavier.
Not in weight—but in meaning.
Filip rested the book against his knee and turned the page slowly, careful not to strain his bandaged hands. His eyes settled on the illustration before the text.
A figure stood frozen mid-step, eyes wide, expression tense. The image captured a single moment—just before something unseen revealed itself.
Filip frowned slightly and read.
Danger Sense
Rank: Legendary
The bearer is warned of imminent danger shortly before it occurs.
His breath caught.
So that was it.
The axe.
The sudden scream in his instincts.
The moment his body had moved before his mind understood why.
"…That saved my life," he murmured.
Rio looked up at him sharply.
Filip nodded once. "Against the skeleton. I didn't know why I moved—now I do."
A quiet chill settled between them.
Filip turned the page.
This time the illustration showed a nimble figure leaning forward, body stretched as if caught mid-dash. The air around her seemed blurred, distorted by motion.
Before Filip could read, he noticed Rio leaning closer, curiosity pulling him in. Filip shifted the book slightly so they could both see.
Lightning Speed
Rank: Epic
Allows the bearer to enter short bursts of heightened physical and mental speed.
Consumes a large amount of stamina.
Rio hummed softly. "Fast… but costly."
Filip nodded. "Sounds about right."
He turned the page again.
The next illustration showed several armored figures standing in formation. At their center stood a single leader, calm and observant, eyes watching everything at once.
Filip didn't need to read the name to know.
Battle Observer
Rank: Legendary
Enhances awareness and control over group combat.
Rio stared at the page longer than expected.
"…You didn't choose anything flashy," he said quietly.
Filip shrugged. "Flashy doesn't keep you alive."
He closed the book carefully and slipped it back into his backpack. "That's all of mine. The rest are blank."
Rio nodded, then opened his own book.
The first talent page showed a person in long, concealing clothes, pulling a staff—or perhaps an object—from empty air.
Rio blinked and read.
Portal Storage
Rank: Epic
Allows the bearer to create a secure extradimensional storage space.
"…That's actually really useful," he said.
He turned the page eagerly.
The next illustration showed a figure dressed in white, hands glowing softly as they hovered over a wounded person.
Rio leaned in.
Healing
Rank: Legendary
Grants the ability to learn healing magic.
His gaze flicked instantly to Filip's hands.
But there were no instructions.
No methods.
Just the name.
Rio's shoulders slumped slightly.
"So… I still can't help you yet," he said quietly.
Filip smiled faintly.
Rio turned the page again.
This time, there was no illustration.
Only a large question mark.
Magic Arrow
Rank: ?
Description: ?
Rio stared at it for a long moment.
"…Figures," he muttered.
The room fell silent again.
Oathkeeper drifted lazily between them, its blue glow tracing soft loops through the air like idle thoughts given form.
After a while, Rio rubbed his stomach and exhaled. "We should probably eat soon."
Then he hesitated.
"…But before that—should we check the coffin?"
Filip didn't answer right away.
Then he nodded. "Yeah. We should."
They both stood, weapons in hand.
The massive burial coffin loomed nearby, its carved surface catching Oathkeeper's light. The patterns were intricate, ancient—and untouched.
They positioned themselves carefully.
The lid was heavy. Too heavy to lift properly.
So they made a plan.
Rio stepped back, bow ready.
Filip raised his sword.
They exchanged a brief look.
Then pushed.
The lid slid free and crashed to the floor with a deep, echoing thud.
They retreated immediately, hearts pounding.
Filip stood with his sword raised.
Rio held an arrow to the string.
Nothing happened.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
Finally, Filip stepped forward slowly, every sense alert.
He reached the edge and looked inside.
Then exhaled.
"…It's empty."
Rio lowered his bow, relief softening his tense posture.
"Good," he said quietly.